Reader's Exchange: He's searching for a metal detector

Just a reminder to all of you in REX land who would like to have your names put on the list to receive used greeting and holiday cards. We will need to have your information by Monday, Jan. 4, and we will publish the list in the Jan. 9 column.

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A favorite pastime of lots of Floridians is walking on one of our beautiful beaches. Allan Withall has fond memories of doing this in Treasure Island with his grandparents and younger brother. They would find interesting shells, petrified wood and, occasionally, small sponges. Now that he and his brother are older, Allan thought it would be fun for them to be metal detecting as they walk down the beach. But there's one problem: He doesn't have a metal detector. He hopes someone out there has one they would be willing to donate (and he'd love some tips on how to use it). Allan can be reached at (727) 395-0677.

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It is so scary and heartbreaking to be the victim of a break-in, especially when your prize possession is stolen. That is what happened to Judy's grandson, who lives out in Los Angeles. His apartment was broken into, and among the things stolen was his 1960sCanon 814 8mm camera with zoom lens and auto focus. This item was special to him as he is a recent graduate of the University of Southern California's film school. If anyone has one of these cameras that they would be willing to part with, Judy would be so grateful, as would her grandson. Judy can be reached at (727) 216-3477.

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We all know how frustrating it is when we search high and low to find something, to no avail. That is the frustration Patricia Anderson of Clearwater has been experiencing. She has been looking everywhere for an old-time "Universal" grinder. Made of heavy metal, with a wooden grip, it is manually operated and clamps to a table or shelf. It is used for grinding walnuts at Christmastime, or can even be used for grinding ham for ham salad. Patricia says it was probably made in the 1940s, and was a staple in a "country kitchen." She says it usually came with three different blades. If anyone has one or knows where Patricia can get one in good condition, please give her a call at (727) 447-7280.

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Thank you

Doris Palmer of Bushnell wrote in to thank Sue Matthews of Pinellas Park for sending her the Left Behind series of books. She also received her other request for As Sure as the Dawn, from a friend. Doris is now looking for the next in Francine Rivers' The Mark of the Lion series, as well asBabylon Rising: The Secret on Ararat by Tim LaHaye. She can be reached at (352) 793-8091.

Send requests to Reader's Exchange, Floridian, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or e-mail features@sptimes.com. Please put "REX" in the subject line. Requests will be accepted only by mail or e-mail. This is an exchange column, so we will not run items that are for sale. Readers must agree to publication of phone numbers, including area code. Due to the volume of REX requests, it might take several weeks before your item appears in the paper.